Atom RSS

State auditors in Maryland released a report last week, slamming the Maryland Sports Authority (MSA) for a variety of management moves - including the payment of $42,000 for less than an hour of consulting services to a former executive director who left under an ethical cloud. As reported by the Baltimore Sun:

In other conclusions, the auditors said the state agency, which owns and operates the two stadiums in the Camden Yards complex, did not adequately pursue $1.7 million in rent the state believes is owed by the Orioles but disputed by the team.

The audit also complains that the authority failed to properly seek competitive bids on a $7.6 million building renovation - a job the agency said was legally bid and completed under budget.

The auditors also noted $282,000 in severance payments granted without proper guidelines or approval from its board. In one case, a top executive with 15 months of service received $104,000, or six months' salary, while an eight-year maintenance worker received two weeks' pay, amounting to $1,100.